Tampa Bay Lightning: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Lightning coach: Victor Hedman 'doubtful' to play in first round

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman is unlikely to suit up for his team in its first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Jon Cooper announced Tuesday.

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Lightning’s Victor Hedman ‘doubtful’ to return in first-round matchup against Canadiens

The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in a 1-0 hole in their first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens, and it looks like they will have to find a way to battle back without their captain.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 21

Lightning’s Victor Hedman Doubtful For First Round

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman has not played since March 19th due to illness. He missed the final 15 games of the regular season and, despite returning to practice in the postseason, the first game of the Lightning’s first round matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.

Tage Thompson News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Last 40-goal season by NHL team' quiz

How many of the most recent players to score at least 40 goals in one season for each NHL franchise can you name in five minutes?

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Victor Hedman News / NHL Trade Talk / April 21

Canadiens Catch Break as Hedman Returning to Series 'Doubtful'

Don’t expect star defenseman Victor Hedman to make it back in time to help the Tampa Bay Lightning in their series with the Montreal Canadiens. Hedman was taking part in Tampa’s optional skate on Tuesday morning, but he’s been ruled unlikely by his coach.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rookie seasons in NHL history

There have been successful rookie seasons in NHL history, and there have been superior efforts worth celebrating time and time again. Here's our list of the 25 notable seasons from those with official rookie status, as deemed by the NHL, in reverse chronological order.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 20

Lightning’s fatal flaw that will doom them in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Tampa Bay Lightning are not the type of team that is going to capitulate just because they have fallen behind in a playoff series. Losing the opening game of their first-round series to the Montreal Canadiens is not going to bother head coach Jon Cooper’s veteran team — but it will annoy them.

NHL News / Field Level Media / April 20

Lightning in need of better execution to avoid 2-0 hole vs. Canadiens

The Tampa Bay Lightning are under no false illusions after losing the opening clash of their Eastern Conference first-round series. The Lightning were not good enough and expect much better of themselves when they play host to the Montreal Canadiens for Game 2 of the best-of-seven series Tuesday.

NHL News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 20

Lightning’s Charle-Edouard D’Astous hit with tough injury update for Game 2 vs. Canadiens

The Tampa Bay Lightning took a loss in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoff series with the Montreal Canadiens. It was a 4-3 overtime loss, led by a hat-trick by Juraj Slafkovsky of the Canadiens.

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / April 20

Lightning’s D’Astous doubtful for Game 2 against Canadiens

Some roster adjustments might be needed for one of the top teams in the Atlantic Division. When speaking to the media on Monday, Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper stated that defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous is doubtful for Game 2 of the team’s Atlantic Division Semifinal against the Montreal Canadiens.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / April 20

Takeaways From Lightning’s Game 1 Loss vs. the Canadiens

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Montreal Canadiens in dramatic fashion, 4-3, in overtime. In a tight, back-and-forth bout, their first-round woes still look prevalent after one game.

Tampa Bay Lightning News / ESPN / April 19

Cooper: Penalty 'stupidity' cost Lightning in G1

Lightning coach Jon Cooper was not happy with the penalties his team took in its Game 1 overtime loss to the Canadiens on Sunday.

NHL News / NHL on ClutchPoints / April 19

Lightning stun Canadiens with two-goal blitz in Game 1

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens are locked in a tight Game 1 matchup to start the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was the Habs who struck first on the road, taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

NHL News / The Sick Podcast / April 19

Previewing Game 1 of The Montreal Canadiens Vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Series

Today is the day; Game 1 of the Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (50-26-6) is finally here. The two teams will face off at 5:45 p.m.

Dominic James News / Daily Faceoff / April 19

Lightning’s Dominic James activated off IR, available for Game 1

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Dominic James has been activated off injured reserve and will be available for Game 1 of the team’s first-round series against the Montreal Canadiens.

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Tampa Bay Lightning News / Pro Hockey Rumors / April 19

Lightning Recall Conor Geekie, Brandon Halverson

The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled Conor Geekie and Brandon Halverson from their AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. They also announced that forwards Mitchell Chaffee, Jakob Pelletier, and defenseman Steven Santini have been reassigned to Syracuse.